How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

Certified copies of death certificates are legal documents issued through a local Register of Deeds or Vital Records office.  Because they are legal documents, it is extremely important that you provide us with the correct information when we prepare the original certificate.  Please note that photocopies without the raised seal from the issuing clerk’s office are not accepted as legal documents.

Once the death certificate has been completed by the attending physician or coroner/medical examiner and the funeral home, it is filed with the State Vital Records Office.  Certified copies can then be issued by the local Register of Deeds or Vital Records office of the residence or the county of death of the decedent.  The statewide fee for certified copies of the death certificate is $20 for the first and $3 for each additional copy. 

During the funeral arrangement conference, we will ask you how many certified copies of the death certificate you will need.  As part of our service, we will obtain these certified copies on your behalf; the cost charged by the Register of Deeds will be added to the Statement of Goods and Services. 

We have provided a worksheet to assist you in determining the number of certified copies needed:

 _____        Home Mortgage(s)

 _____        Property Title & Deeds

 _____        Vehicle Registration & Title Changes

 _____        Bank and Credit Union Accounts

 _____        Life Insurance

 _____        Pension, Annuities, IRAs

 _____        Stocks & Bonds

 _____        Union Benefits

 _____        Attorney / CPA

 _____        Your Records

 _____        Other

_____        Total Needed